Actions

Groups rally around the country against recent changes in abortion laws

Dozens lined First Avenue in St. Petersburg speaking out against changes in abortion laws around the country on Tuesday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Dozens lined First Avenue in St. Petersburg speaking out against changes in abortion laws around the country on Tuesday.

“It’s extremely empowering. But it’s also really sad that we have to do this again when a lot of these women and men were here in the 70’s doing the same battle," said Tampa resident Krysti Fitzgerald.

Amy Weintraub organized this rally with a group called Progress Florida.

She wants people to mobilize in the wake of what she calls extreme laws that are stripping reproductive freedoms.

“We need them to get involved with their local reproductive rights organizations like Planned Parenthood — Like now, like the League of Women Voters, and stand up and say 'we aren’t going to go back,'" said Weintraub.

Sabrina Burton Schultz is director of Life, Justice and Advocacy at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

She is encouraged by the recent legislation in other states, and says there are ways to support women without turning to abortion.

“We can be empowered to parent. We can be empowered to place our children. Sometimes that’s not easy. It means putting ourselves second and our children first. But we believe that’s what we are called to do and women are strong and capable of doing that," said Schultz.

More than 400 events like this one went on Tueday around the country in what was called a National Day of Action.

Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.